CONTACT: Jessica Echard (202) 544-0353

Washington, D.C.-Eagle Forum, the grassroots public policy organization founded by Phyllis Schlafly, praises House Republican leadership for introducing a discharge petition to force a floor debate on the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act, H.R. 4088. The SAVE Act, sponsored by Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), requires a phased-in employer verification system called E-verify, as well as beefs up the border with additional technology and border patrol agents.

Although the bill is sponsored by a Democrat, Democratic leaders have been reluctant to bring the bill to the floor because its enforcement approach angers many of their open border supporters. The SAVE Act currently has 141 co-sponsors, including 48 Democrats. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures, a majority, to force the bill to the floor.

"House Republicans are making it clear that the illegal immigration status quo is not acceptable," said Eagle Forum Executive Director Jessica Echard. "The American people are tired of Congress either doing nothing or doing the wrong thing — amnesty."

"It's time for partisan fighting to end and for Congress to make enforcement of our immigration laws a priority," Echard continued. "I don't think most Americans care if a Democrat or a Republican does it or if it requires a discharge petition. They just want someone to stop illegal aliens from taking over their communities and their jobs. We have got to stop the jobs magnet for illegal aliens and the SAVE Act will do that."